front abs sensor stuck 95 3.8 178K miles

[CoachKarl]

Hi fellas,

My title says it all. I am removing the passenger side steering knuckle, to replace the wheel bearing. Everything came apart OK except the ABS sensor. My Windstar Haynes Manual doesn't go into any detail beyond "have a pro deal with abs" and the forum search I cannot coax into finding "abs sensor stuck" as a single phrase. I've got the knuckle off, with the ABS "umbilical cord still" attached to the vehicle. Penetrating Oil and light tapping have yielded nothing. The wire attached seems to turn about 45 degrees. I don't want to force anything here. Any of you guys been here? (Bernzomatic and an ice cube is now crossing my mind).

Karl

[CoachKarl]

Doogh!

I chased ABS wire to a harness connector right in front of the AC pulley. It still seem frozen to the steering knuckle. So. I guess when you get a new steering knuckle you get a new ABS sensor? Does that thing come off? Can I test the ABS sensor somehow?

Karl

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by CoachKarl

Doogh!

I chased ABS wire to a harness connector right in front of the AC pulley. It still seem frozen to the steering knuckle. So. I guess when you get a new steering knuckle you get a new ABS sensor? Does that thing come off? Can I test the ABS sensor somehow?

Karl

Coach

Yes the front sensor does come out. I haven't pulled one out, however, looking at the picture in my manual, once you pull the bolt out, you should be able to twist with a plyers it to get it loosened up to pull it out.

Yes you can test it with a digital OHM meter. The front sensor shouldn't be greater than 2200-2500 ohms and the rear shouidn't be greater than 2500-2900 ohms. If the sensors are greater than the amount listed they are defective.

Regards

Dan

[busboy4]

Hi Karl
yeah those things should just pull right out. I know corrosion and dirt etc. make them stick. I will tell you they deform very easily if you tap on them with a hammer etc. With that said you may have to sacrifice it to get it out. I used a 2x4 once as a "cushion" and rapped the other side. I bent it slightly but it did come out.
On another note. If you have had much vibration on that side, I would encourage you to look carefully at the hub while it is pressed out. On my 96 the hub bolt had loosened somewhat, and in addition to the bearing being shot, the hub had worn under the vibration and remained somewhat loose after re-assembly. When we pressed it back out, there was obvious wear on the hub "shaft", so I replaced it too. Unfortunately that added $100.

Good Luck

[lewisnc100]

Glad I'm not the only one. I replaced the rotors and pads on my 2000 the other weekend and thought I'd pull the ABS front wheel sensors to clean them off while I had good access. Removed the bolt and still stuck on good, thought there must be something else holding them on so I bolted it back up.

[CoachKarl]

All is well. I didn't fool with the ABS sensor any more. I just taped it up and had Mr. bearing presser avoid it. Thank you BusBoy, I torqued the hell out of that big new nut (212 lbft). The new bearing seemed almost as loose as the old before I torqued it, but was pleased to find that when all was done my noise went away.

Karl